Single Serve Banana Bread
on Aug 01, 2023, Updated Feb 13, 2025
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Don’t throw out that overly ripe banana 🍌 that’s been on your counter for too long—make my single-serve banana bread! This is such an easy treat that comes together in a fraction of the time it takes to make a loaf of banana bread. It’s perfect for when you have a sweet craving for baked goods, but no patience to wait for a long bake time. Plus, who doesn’t love a single-serve dessert? Of course, you could share this, but where’s the fun in that?
All you need is one very ripe banana (brown spots on the banana peel indicate over-ripeness—a good thing in this recipe), a few kitchen staples, and 5 minutes of prep time.
Why You’ll Love Single-Serve Banana Bread
This single-serve banana bread is ideal for when you crave homemade goodness without baking a full loaf. It’s quick and easy, using just one overripe banana and a few basic pantry staples. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a warm, moist, and delicious banana bread all to yourself. It’s a quick, fuss-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth 🦷, with customizable add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips. Whether plain, dusted with sugar, or crowned with ice cream, this banana bread is a must try!
These single-serve banana breads would make for an impressive spread at a brunch party. You can bake multiple ramekins on a large baking sheet, which allows you to easily transfer many individual dishes in and out of the oven at the same time.
How to Prepare Single-Serve Banana Bread
🍌Whisk together the ingredients, pour the batter into a lined ramekin or any single-serve oven-safe dish, and wait 30 minutes for this incredible bread to bake up.
🍦I like to enjoy mine warm with a bit of powdered sugar dusted on top, or a scoop of ice cream if I’m in the mood.
🌰Some completely optional, but delicious, additions to the batter include crushed walnuts, chocolate chips, or a spoonful of almond butter. Let us know in the comments below if you treat yourself to this sweet recipe!
Nonna’s Tip
To keep your banana bread fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
Substitutions and Variations
Whether you’re aiming for a healthier version or a more indulgent treat, these options let you customize your banana bread to your liking.
- Instead of all-purpose flour, sub whole wheat 🌾flour.
- Add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves.
- Try alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave instead of granulated sugar.
- Swap out regular milk for almond milk, soy milk, or any other plant-based milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
- For a vegan or dietary alternative, use flax eggs instead (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water per egg) or applesauce as egg substitutes.
- Personalize your banana bread with extras like nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds), chocolate chips, or dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, or apricots).
- To make the recipe gluten-free, use a 1-1 gluten-free flour.
Best Served With
- A light dusting of powdered sugar on top
- A scoop of your favorite ice cream 🍦
- A dollop of whipped cream on the side or right on top
- A spoonful of almond butter, peanut butter, or hazelnut spread
Similar Recipes
- If you have 5 minutes to add a few ingredients to a blender, you can make a Honey Walnut Oat Cake.
- My Single-Serve Peach Crisp is the ultimate summer dessert.
- This Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cake is another home-run, single-serve dessert.
Common Questions
I used a 10-ounce ramekin but you can use any small oven-safe dish you have.
Yes, feel free to use 1-to-1 gluten-free flour if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
Use any milk of choice, such as almond or oat milk, to make this recipe completely dairy-free.
To keep your banana bread fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
You can easily double or triple the ingredients and bake the banana bread in separate ramekins or a larger oven-safe dish. Just adjust the baking time accordingly.
Single Serve Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 banana, very ripe
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar, or sweetener of choice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, or any neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons walnuts , crushed or chopped
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chocolate chips , optional
- ½ teaspoon powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
- NOTE: The bake time will depend on the oven, so keep an eye on the bread as it bakes. It's ready when it no longer jiggles in the centre and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Peel and mash the banana in a bowl. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add the oil, milk, flour, and baking soda, and mix. Optionally, stir in some crushed walnuts or chocolate chips.
- Spray and line a 10-ounce ramekin with parchment paper. Pour in the batter and tap to distribute evenly.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until fully set and a toothpick comes out dry.
- Let cool, dust with icing sugar, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
hi everyone! it´s really good i would try it. It took me a little while more than 5 minutes, but it was totally worth it. My tip would be to make banana pancakes out of it by baking it!
Have a nice day 🙂
Thanks for the tip, Saar! ❤️
This single-serve recipe delivered! The perfect way to use up those leftover bananas. The bread turned out so moist and yummy… I added some chocolate chips to mine! Highly recommend this recipe for a quick sweet fix!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. We loved it.
I made it And sugar wass really less I couldn’t even taste sso now I am going to make chocolate frosting for sweetness
Hi Melissa, next time do add some more sweetener to the batter as this recipe is not meant to be overly sweet. I love it out of the oven with some butter and honey too 🙂
I had one lonely banana sitting in my 2-tier fruit basket and didn’t want to see it go to waste. Thankfully I stumbled upon this recipe! It tastes great and I don’t regret making it one bit!
But the texture is more pudding like than bread like. Next time I think I might add an extra tablespoon of flour, or double the recipe and use a total of 1 egg 🙂
I didn’t take a picture but it looked insanely gorgeous! After placing the mixture into my ramekin, I roughly fine diced 3 pieces of milk chocolate from a milk chocolate bar, added it to the mixture and swirled it in! I’m not too sure why but after a few minutes it started to deflate 😀
I love this Sadia! Thank you for this amazing note. 🥹💗 Love the addition of chocolate! Yes, I think a bit more flour will help create the texture you’re looking for.